Blocks with laterally apertured connecting plugs

ABSTRACT

A building block set comprises building blocks having internal spaces provided with an opening laterally receiving connection pegs of other blocks, there being a coupling pin in each space adapted to fit into a transverse recess in the associated peg.

United States Patent August Wilhelm Howe Inventor Gottelmlnnstnsse 42, Main: (Rhine), Germany Appl. No. 832,606 Filed June 12, 1969 Patented June 22, 1971 Priority June 20, 1968 Austria A 5931/68 BLOCKS WITH LATERALLY APER'I'URED counnc'rmc PLUGS 13Claims,l5 DrawingFigs.

usml 46/25, 46/30, 2s7/2o924 m. m A63h 33/08 FielrlofSearch 46/25,26, 2s, 29; 287/20-92.4, 2092.5

Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay Attorney-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies & Kurz ABSTRACT: A building 'block set comprises building blocks having internal spaces provided with an opening laterally receiving connection pegs of other blocks, there being a coupling pin in each space adapted to fit into a transverse recess in the associated peg.

BLOCKS WITH LATERALLY APERTURED CONNECTING PLUGS The invention refers to a game of building blocks with said blocks being capable of being specially plugged into one another by plugging a peg of one block into a reception space of another block in such manner as to resist separation pull forces.

The game of building blocks according to the invention is usable for making models in the most diverse manner of construction. It for example is intended for copying, by means of special blocks, skeletonlike building or machine frames whose openings or intervals can be covered with surface elements such as panels. In this method of frame construction, it is of considerable importance that the model be durable, especially when strong tractive forces occur, and to create traction-resistance connections between the building blocks.

In such building block games, the proposal has already been made, to strengthen the connection between two pluggedtogether building blocks by an additional connecting bolt as an extension of the peg (French Pat. No. 1,464,622). A proposal has already also been made to provide building blocks with axially penetrating openings and to hold a row of building blocks more firmly together by means of additional, axially penetrating pegs.

It has also been known to provide, in pegs for plug connection, recesses which extend transversely of the pegs and to use these recesses for the introduction of holding corrugations or ridges (Swiss Pat. Nos. 435,082 and 435,083). These known measures do not result in an adequate axially secure plug connection as for example in models of machines.

Building block games with elements that can be plugged into one another have also already been known where the plug connection and the associated building element are provided with transverse recess means for introduction of a separate spike or a screwbolt (British Pat. No. 684,93l, U.S. Pat. No. 2,910,737). Such games however require the independent introduction of these additional transverse securing elements, and thus they abandon the desirable basic principle of a simple plugging together of the elements of the building block game. Besides, these securing elements may drop out and be lost, and separate securing pegs developed as screwbolts require additional screwing manipulation and thus a considerable time-consuming impediment in playing the game.

The invention is based on the principle of creating a building block game in which simple plugging together of the building blocks provides specially secured and specially traction-resistant connections. Particularly, firm axially secured plug connections are made and detached just as easily as normal plug connections. Beyond that, these axially secured firm plug connections are easily and cheaply made, and they are insertable in a simple manner, visible at a glance, and easily understandable and manipulated even for children.

The invention provides a simple building block game with building blocks that can be plugged together which have pegs for the plug connection on one block and associated openings for the plug connection to enter the internal receiving space of another building block, and at least some of the building blocks carry a pin in the space projecting into a recess extending transversely of the associated peg of the plug connection.

According to the invention, coupling building blocks have been provided where a connecting peg receiving space is open at a front surface and at a side surface, and this space contains a coupling element or pin extending transversely of an opening. Upon lateral introduction of the peg of the plug connection into the receiving space of a coupling block, the pin fits into a recess in the peg. As a result of the invention, plug connections can be produced between building blocks with just as great strength as was obtained with additional securing elements. The building blocks can be put together and taken apart comfortably, easily, and without increased force. The plug connections, which are axially secured, are particularly strong when produced with the special coupling building blocks according to the invention, and.they. can be inserted easily and comfortably into the standard connection system of the other building blocks. They do not require in the case of the finished model any elements protruding from the walls.

It is particularly advantageous within the framework of the invention if the reception for the coupling ofthe pegs of the plug connection is a couplingbore and thecoupling element is coordinated to the former as a slidably fitting coupling pin.

Building blocks of varying shape and type can be provided as coupling building blocks within the framework of the invention. For example, coupling buildingblocks with a triangular building block body can be provided where the front opening of the receiving space lies in the rectangular base surface and the lateral opening of the receiving space in one of the triangular side surfaces of the body. Couplingblocks with a cubeshaped body of the building block can also be provided within the frameworkof the invention. These may have openings for plug connections on two opposing cube surfaces, as on the front side and on a side surface, whereby behind each front plug connection opening a coupling element is disposed, and centrally between the two front plug connection openings a separating and reinforcing wall extending transversely is disposed.

In the building block game according to the invention, coupling blocks with a cube-shaped body of the plug can be provided which have a plug connection peg on one of two opposing cube surfaces and a frontal plug connection opening on the other opposing surface, as well as a lateral plug connection opening on a third cube surface, whereby a coupling element may be disposed behind the frontal plug connection opening and an opening may be provided in the plug connection peg parallel to said coupling element.

Within the framework of the invention, connecting building blocks have been provided for the creation of a particularly favorable transition from building blocks with a normal axial plug connection to coupling blocks provided with an adequately secured plug connection according to the invention.

For this purpose such connecting blocks are provided in which at least one plug connection peg is formed with a transversely extending coupling opening and the reception space of the building block is provided with only a frontal plug connection opening for the axial plugging-in of a plug connection P 8- For this purpose connection blocks can also be provided in which two reception spaces, open toward opposite sides of the body of the block, can be provided for receiving one plug connection peg each, one of which is formed only with a frontal plug connection opening for the axial plugging in of a plug connection peg and the other with an additional lateral plug connection opening and coupling element.

Since the lateral plug connection openings will remain open after introduction of the plug connection peg, it will be particularly advantageous within the framework of the invention to provide cover plates for these openings. These plates bear connecting bridges on the rear side, while recesses opposing each other in pairs are worked into the lateral plug connection openings at least in the case of coupling building blocks, into which recesses the connecting bridges will fit with their ends as a plug connection. By suitable development of their rear bridges, these cover plates can also be used to cover up unused frontal plug connection openings.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail in the following paragraphs by way of example on the basis of the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side view showing a triangularly shaped building block with a lateral plug connection peg;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a triangularly shaped building block with a lateral plug connection peg as a coupling block;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a triangularly shaped building block with two lateral plug connection pegs as a coupling building block;

FIG. 4 shows a building block according to FIG. 3 as viewed on line IV-IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing a building block with two frontal plug connection openings;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a building block with two frontal plug connection openings as a coupling building block;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the building block according to FIG. 6 illustrating the lateral plug connection opening;

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a building block with a frontal plug connection opening and a front plug connection peg;

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a building block according to FIG. 8 as a coupling building block illustrating the frontal plug connection opening;

FIG. 10 is an end view showing the building block according to FIG. 9 illustrating the lateral plug connection opening;

FIGS. 11a and 11b show a view of the frontal plug connection opening of building blocks according to FIG. 1, FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 with their development as connecting building blocks;

FIG. 12 is an assembly illustrating an example of building blocks united with coupling and connecting building blocks;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation showing cover plates; and

FIG. 14 is a rear view showing cover plates according to FIG. 13.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The building block game may contain known standard building blocks with front and sometimes lateral plug connection pegs and front plug connection openings (not shown). In addition in the invention, the set of building blocks for the game contains couplings building blocks such as shown especially in FIGS. 2 to 4, FIGS. 6 and 7, and FIGS. 9 and 10, connecting building blocks such as shown particularly in FIGS. 1, 5, and 8 in connection with FIG. 11, as well as cover plates such as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

, The building blocks of the invention have block bodies I, 11, and 21 which in their outside shape are the same as the bodies of building blocks of standard building blocks of the set. As compared to the conventional building blocks of the set, the coupling building blocks and the connecting building blocks of the invention have on their axial and sometimes lateral plug connection pegs 2, 2a, 2b, or on at least one of their plug connection pegs, coupling bores 3, 3a, 3b extending transversely and for the purpose of receiving coupling elements. In assembly these coupling bores 3, 3a, 3b of the plug connection peg 2, 2a, 2b are pulled up to the surface of body I or 21 of the building block, forming the bottom of the plug connection peg, so that the plug connection pegs 2, 2a, and 2b are not noticeably weakened by being formed with coupling bores 3, 3a, and 3b.

The coupling building blocks, as the drawing shows, are formed with two openings to their receiving spaces 4 for the plug connection pegs 2, 2a, or 2b, and therefore with a front plug connection opening 5 (FIG. 2) and one each lateral plug connection opening 6 (FIG. 6). Inside each receiving space 4 there is a coupling element comprising an essentially cylindrical coupling pin 7 extending transversely across the axial plug connection opening 5 toward the lateral plug connection opening 6. Pin 7, upon lateral introduction of a plug connection peg 2, 2a, or 2b into a receiving space 4 is held by the corresponding coupling bore 3, 3a, or 3b of the plug connection peg 2, 2a, or 211. As a result this makes an axial separation of the connected building blocks impossible. In a corresponding location with relation to the coupling bore 3, 3a, or 3b, the coupling pin 7 is disposed tangentially to the front plug connection opening 5 of receiving space 4. As a result, the coupling pin 7 and coupling bore 3, 3a, or 3b are effective up into the connecting plane of the two plugged-together building blocks, and they secure the two plugged blocks together firmly.

The connecting blocks only have one front plug connection opening 15 or 16 to their receiving space 14, as becomes clear from FIG. 11. These receiving spaces 14 contain internal ribs 17 at a distance from the corners. These ribs extend axially and resiliently grasp an axially introduced plug connection peg 2, 2a, or 212.

As in the case of some standard building blocks, external grooves 19 have also been provided on the coupling and connecting building blocks which serve for the introduction of suitable framelike or platelike surface elements.

For covering the lateral plug-connecting openings 6 of coupling building blocks after lateral introduction of a plug connection peg 2, 2a, or 217 into space 4, cover plates such as 22 and 23 are provided which have been adapted in their internal surface-to-surface dimensions of the body 1, 11, or 21 of the building blocks. For example these may be square cover plates 22 or triangular cover plates 23. These cover plates are internally formed each with a bridge. For reception of these bridges as holding elements of the cover plates 22 or 23, lateral grooves facing each other in pairs are adjacent the plug connection openings, with which grooves the pertinent bridge interfits. In order to be able also to cover unused front plug connection openings 5, grooves 26 (FIG. 2) facing each other in pairs are provided in front plug connection openings 5 of the coupling building blocks. These front plug connection openings 5 must be closed with cover plates 22 whose bridge 25 has a central recess 27 for fitting the side of coupling pin 7. The front plug connection openings 15 and 16 of the connecting building blocks can be closed in the same manner by cover plates 23, since ribs 17 contain central grooves 28 facing each other in pairs with which the rear bridge 24 of cover plate 23 may engage with its ends.

As a reinforcement, the connecting and coupling building blocks according to FIGS. 5 to 7 may carry a central separating and reinforcing wall 29, which in the case of the coupling building blocks, as FIG. 6 shows, is set back at 30 in the area of recesses 26. In the case of connecting building blocks, the separating and reinforcing wall 29 may contain a central bore 31 as indicated in FIG. Ilb. In the same manner the connecting and coupling building blocks, formed according to FIGS. 8 to 10, can also be formed with an axial bore 31 through the front plug connection peg 2.

k The building blocks shown in the drawing are represented as follows:

FIG. I shows a building block with a triangular-shaped body 1. On the rectangular base surface 32 of the body, an axial plug-connecting opening is formed, and a plug connection peg 2 with coupling bore 3 is attached at one lateral surface of the triangle. The building block according to FIG. 1 can be developed at surface 32 as a connecting building block with an axial plug connection opening 16 according to FIG. Ila, or with an opening 5 as a coupling building block as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a coupling building block with a body 1 of the building block in triangular shape. The axial plug connection opening 5 is disposed on the rectangular base surface and the lateral plug connection opening 6 on a triangular surface. In the example of FIG. 2, coupling bore 3 of plug connection peg 2 and coupling pin 7 within receiving space 4 extend parallel to one another.

In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, we are also dealing with a coupling building block with a triangular body 1 of said building block. As compared to the coupling building block of FIG. 2, two plug connection pegs 2a and 2b are provided. In plug connection peg 2a, the coupling bore 3a extends parallel to the coupling pin 7. In plug connection peg 2b, coupling bore 3b extends at a right angle to the coupling pin 7.

In the example of FIG. 5 a connecting or coupling building block with a cube-shaped body 11 is shown, and it has front plug connection openings on two opposite surfaces of the cube.

FIG. 7 shows a cube-shaped building block having a central separating and reinforcing wall 29, which separates two receiving spaces 4 inside the building block. As a coupling building block, each of these receiving spaces 4 is provided with a lateral plug connection opening 6 such as shown in FIG. 6 and one coupling pin 7 each. As a connecting building block, one of the two receiving spaces 4 is formed in the same manner as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the other one is closed on four sides and developed with a cross section corresponding to FIG. 11b.

FIGS. 8 to show a building block with a cube-shaped body 21 and a front plug connection peg 2. In the case of its development as a coupling building block according to FIGS. 9 and 10, the receiving space 4 will have a lateral plug connection opening 6 and a coupling pin 7. In the case of its development as a connecting building block, the receiving space 14 (see FIG. 12) is developed with internal ribs 17 in a cross section corresponding to FIG. 11, and is closed on its four sides.

In the example shown in the assembly of FIG. 12, a triangularly shaped building block 1, corresponding to FIGS. 3 and 4, is used as a central element. The plug connection peg 2 of a coupling building block 21 according to FIGS. 9 and 10 has been laterally inserted into the front receiving space 4 of building block I, so that the coupling pin 7 of block 1 is received in bore 3 of the plug connection peg 2 of block 21. The plug connection peg 2 of a connecting building block according to FIG. 8 and FIG. 11b is inserted into the receiving space 4 of the coupling building block 21 according to FIGS. 9 and 10, so that the receiving space 14 of this connecting building block is available at opening 15 for the introduction of a plug-connecting peg of a standard building block.

A coupling building block 11 according to FIGS. 6 and 7 is placed on the plug connection peg 2a of the triangularly shaped coupling building block I, so that one of its coupling pins 7 engages with the coupling bore 30 of the plug connection peg 2a, while the second receiving space 4 with the coupling pin 7 is available for the attachment of an additional coupling building block or connecting building block according to FIGS. 1 to 4 or FIGS. 8 to 10.

The second plug connection peg 2b of the triangularly shaped coupling building block I in the example shown with its bore 3b is used for the mounting of a shaft 33 or for the thrust guidance of a rod. For this purpose the coupling-receiving spaces in the example shown have been developed I as coupling bores 3, 3a, 3b extending transversely through the plug connection peg 2, 2a, 2b. The width of these coupling bores 3, 3a, 3b is adapted to the diameter of the shafts 33 or the rods in the building block set.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What I claim and desire to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a building block set comprising coupling and connecting building blocks, complementary means on said blocks adapted to be plugged together, said means including on at least some of said blocks projecting plug-connecting pegs adapted to fit within internal receiving spaces in others of said blocks, said spaces having peg-receiving openings at front and lateral external surfaces of said other blocks, and there being a rigid coupling element fixedly mounted in each said space extending transversely of said front opening, and transverse bores in each peg such that upon lateral introduction of a connecting peg into a receiving space the said coupling element in that space is received within the peg bore.

2. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element received in the bore is a pin slidably fitting within said bore.

3. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse bore of the plug connection peg extends adjacent the surface of the building block from which the peg projects and the coupling element extends adjacent the front openingjof the receiving space of its building block 4 A uildlng block set according to claim 1, which contains building blocks each with a triangular body having said frontal plug connection opening on the base surface and two plug connection pegs on the respective lateral surfaces, characterized in that the transverse bore of one of said two plug connection pegs is arranged with its axis at a right angle to the axis of the transverse bore in the other of said two plug connection pegs.

5. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that some of said coupling building blocks have triangular bodies, and where the front opening of the receiving space lies in the rectangular base surface on the body and the lateral opening of the receiving space lies in one of the triangular surfaces of the body.

6. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that some of said coupling building blocks have cubeshaped bodies provided on each of two opposite surfaces with a front plug connection opening and provided with a lateral plug connection opening on one of the lateral surfaces, whereby at every front plug connection opening thereof one of said coupling elements is disposed, and centrally between the two front plug connection openings extends a separating and reinforcing wall.

7. A building block set according to claim 1 characterized in that some of said coupling building blocks are provided with a cube-shaped body which has on one of two opposite cube surfaces a plug connection peg and on the other cube surface a frontal plug connection opening as well as a lateral plug connection opening on a third surface of the cube, whereby a coupling pin at the front plug connection opening and a coupling bore in the plug connection peg are parallel.

8. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that some of said connecting building blocks are provided in which at least one plug connection peg is formed with a transverse coupling bore, and the receiving space thereof is formed with only a front plug connection opening for axial insertion of a plug connection peg.

9. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that some of said connecting building blocks are provided wherein are formed two open receiving spaces located on opposite sides thereof, of which one is formed with only one front connecting opening for the axial insertion of a plug connection peg, and the other is formed with an additional lateral plug connection opening and contains a rigid coupling pin.

10. A building block set according to claim 1 characterized in that some of said coupling building blocks and connecting building blocks have cube-shaped bodies from which project said lateral plug connection pegs, and in that said lateral coupling bores are provided in the plug connection pegs thereof and extend parallel to the receiving spaces thereof.

1 l. A building block set according to claim 1', characterized in that cover plates are provided for plug connection openings, said plates mounting connecting bridges adapted to fit into recesses in walls defining the plug connection openings.

12. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that a cover plate is provided for the front plug connection opening of a receiving space containing a coupling element and a recess on a connecting bridge on the cover plate fits over the coupling element.

13. A building block set according to claim I, characterized in both coupling and connecting building blocks the outside surface of at least one sidewall has at least one groove extending axially and formed for the introduction of frame-shaped or plate-shaped building elements. 

1. In a building block set comprising coupling and connecting building blocks, complementary means on said blocks adapted to be plugged together, said means including on at least some of said blocks projecting plug-connecting pegs adapted to fit within internal receiving spaces in others of said blocks, said spaces having peg-receiving openings at front and lateral external surfaces of said other blocks, and there being a rigid coupling element fixedly mounted in each said space extending transversely of said front opening, and transverse bores in each peg such that upon lateral introduction of a connecting peg into a receiving space the said coupling element in that space is received within the peg bore.
 2. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element received in the bore is a pin slidably fitting within said bore.
 3. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse bore of the plug connection peg extends adjacent the surface of the building block from which the peg projects and the coupling element extends adjacent the front opening of the receiving space of its building block.
 4. A building block set according to claim 1, which contains building blocks each with a triangular body having said frontal plug connection opening on the base surface and two plug connection pegs on the respective lateral surfaces, characterized in that the transverse bore of one of said two plug connection pegs is arranged with its axis at a right angle to the axis of the transverse bore in the other of said two plug connection pegs.
 5. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that some of said coupling building blocks have triangular bodies, and where the front opening of the receiving space lies in the rectangular base surface on the body and the lateral opening of the receiving space lies in one of the triangular surfaces of the body.
 6. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that some of said coupling building blocks have cube-shaped bodies provided on each of two opposite surfaces with a front plug connection opening and provided with a lateral plug connection opening on one of the lateral surfaces, whereby at every front plug connection opening thereof one of said coupling elements is disposed, and centrally between the two front plug connection openings extends a separating and reinforcing wall.
 7. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that some of said coupling building blocks are provided with a cube-shaped body which has on one of two opposite cube surfaces a plug connection peg and on the other cube surface a frontal plug connection opening as well as a lateral plug connection opening on a third surface of the cube, whereby a coupling pin at the front plug connection opening and a coupling bore in the plug connection peg are parallel.
 8. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that some of said connecting building blocks are provided in which at least one plug connection peg is formed with a transverse coupling bore, and the receiving space thereof is formed with only a front plug connection opening for axial insertion of a plug connection peg.
 9. A building bloCk set according to claim 1, characterized in that some of said connecting building blocks are provided wherein are formed two open receiving spaces located on opposite sides thereof, of which one is formed with only one front connecting opening for the axial insertion of a plug connection peg, and the other is formed with an additional lateral plug connection opening and contains a rigid coupling pin.
 10. A building block set according to claim 1 characterized in that some of said coupling building blocks and connecting building blocks have cube-shaped bodies from which project said lateral plug connection pegs, and in that said lateral coupling bores are provided in the plug connection pegs thereof and extend parallel to the receiving spaces thereof.
 11. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that cover plates are provided for plug connection openings, said plates mounting connecting bridges adapted to fit into recesses in walls defining the plug connection openings.
 12. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in that a cover plate is provided for the front plug connection opening of a receiving space containing a coupling element and a recess on a connecting bridge on the cover plate fits over the coupling element.
 13. A building block set according to claim 1, characterized in both coupling and connecting building blocks the outside surface of at least one sidewall has at least one groove extending axially and formed for the introduction of frame-shaped or plate-shaped building elements. 